There have been countless discussions regarding gun control and little or none about the underlining mental health issue that is associated with the rising gun violence in the United States. It is difficult for the nation to come to terms of their own self-destruction. However, if we keep on this path of kill or be killed for the sake of being the winner in a conflict, what are we leaving for the next generation?
This nation has been to war or involved in a conflict for most of its young life. Throughout the centuries, we battled on our own soil and across oceans to keep our freedom of democracy as our founding fathers wanted, as well as battles over territories or economic gain.
Today, we are battling an internal war of words from our Constitution and how to interpret what the authors of the second amendment represent. Mostly because the authors did not include anything in the constitution or the Bill of Rights that covers healthcare or mental health issues.
During an interview with an associate regarding mental health, he said he is on medication and is aware if he does not take this medication he is not the same. He stated it is important that a screening process must be implemented to keep innocent people from being killed by someone who does not understand their consequential actions. Just like a license to drive a car, fly a plane, or operate a boat, everyone should have to take a course in safety before a gun purchase is made. There needs to be a comprehensive federal law that all states must abide by. Plus, a thorough background check for not only criminal but mental disorders with stronger licensing programs that have no limitations on information to obtain a firearm. Once a person has been diagnosed with a mental disorder, the information should be shared with all agencies, state governments, local governments, and the federal government.
In addition, a limitation should be set for the purchase of ammunition. It seems clear that the founding fathers could not see past the musket rifles of their time. Limiting the amount of ammunition for a gun owner is essential.
No one should be ashamed to be screened. Not that it will deter all acts of violence by firearms, but if we prevent a few, then we might just save a few innocent bystanders.
There are negative attitudes and stereotypes toward people with mental health issues. Most people believe a person with mental problems is weak and unstable. This leads to a someone with some of the symptoms found in this Mayo Clinic page to act against the stereotype they have been forced to become. One key is to inform and educate everyone for the signs and symptoms as well as the steps to help someone get the care and guidance they need.
The recent shooting on August 26, 2018, in Jacksonville, Florida at the video game tournament is a prime example. The man responsible for this senseless shooting was treated in psychiatric facilities for most of his teenage years, yet he was able to obtain guns lawfully. According to a USA Today article regarding the shooting, no one was surprised.
In an article in the Orlando Sentinel by David McFadden and Brian White, they stated, "The Jacksonville shooting is just the latest U.S. case to illustrate the complexities of keeping dangerously unstable people from buying guns." The article went on to say the Maryland (where the guns were purchased) has a law that requires psychiatric facilities to report anyone admitted to their State Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. Yet this young man fell through the cracks. The case is under investigation, and all agencies involved are not talking at this time.
The media and politicians seemed uninterested in the fact that a young white male walked into a pizzeria with a handgun and opened fire. It was not the same scenario they have been playing to the public for the past two years. It did not fit the profile of the assault weapons that are the hot topic of this mid-term election year. A firearm is a firearm, and it kills people no matter what kind it is.
In addition, once the media learned this young man had been treated in mental hospitals for most of his teen years, they backed away even faster. Mental health is an epidemic and should be more important than whether guns are a constitutional right for every person in the county.
Do we know the reason a person chooses to take other's lives and some cases his own, too? Maybe it is time to stop looking at the person through the media's eyes and look through his eyes.
